Beaumont says Rio experience was cool, but wants to do it his way

Maidenhead Olympian Jack Beaumont started the 2017 season in fine form, finishing third in the GB Rowing Team Senior and Under-23 Trials over the Easter weekend.

Beaumont (first from left in photo) trailed fellow Rio 2016 Olympians and Leander Club teammates John Collins and Jonny Walton in the men’s single scull event at the national training centre in Caversham.

The 23-year-old was called up to the Olympic squad just days before the Rio Games opened as a replacement for the ill Graeme Thomas, but Beaumont hopes to perform well over the coming years to gain selection in his own right for Tokyo 2020.

“The Rio experience was just nuts – getting called up at the last minute and finishing fifth was cool, but not how I want to do it,” he said.

“I want to be there in three-and-a-half years’ time, selected off my own hard work, so I can build into it with a real focus, rather than having five days to get ready.

“It’s definitely an experience I want more of, and it was so inspiring seeing the medals won by our teammates that we train with every day.

“Seeing them achieve their goals and being with their families is something I’ll never forget.”